Case library
All 204 worked cases in one place. Study each one step by step, run it with a friend in Partner mode, or simulate it typed or out loud.
204 cases
Worked cases
Profitability and P&L
Calculating the margins from the P&L
Using the coffee chain P&L above (EUR millions), calculate gross profit, EBITDA, EBIT, net profit, and the gross and net margins.
Interviewer-ledStarterFood and agricultureEurope About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Operating leverage: the same sales growth, very different profit growth
Two companies in Singapore each have revenue of SGD 1 million (1,000 thousand) and profit of SGD 100 thousand. All figures below are in SGD thousands.
Candidate-ledStarterSingapore and Southeast Asia About 25 min Math checkedStudy: Operating leverage: the same sales growth, very different profit growth Partner mode: Operating leverage: the same sales growth, very different profit growth Simulate: Operating leverage: the same sales growth, very different profit growth, typed Out loud: Operating leverage: the same sales growth, very different profit growth, spokenOperations and cost
Unit economics of a food delivery app in India
A food delivery app in India takes a 25 percent commission on an average order of INR 400.
Candidate-ledStarterTechnology, media and telecomIndia About 20 min Math checkedOther and mixed
Growing, but losing share
The mobile phone accessories market in the UAE grew from AED 10 billion to AED 11 billion. Our client grew from AED 2 billion to AED 2.1 billion.
Candidate-ledStarterTechnology, media and telecomMiddle East and GCC About 20 min Math checkedPricing
A cinema raises its ticket price
A cinema in Spain raises its ticket price from EUR 10 to EUR 11. Weekly tickets sold fall from 1,000 to 850. Was the price rise a good idea for revenue?
Candidate-ledStarterTechnology, media and telecomEurope About 15 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Profitable, but short of cash
A distributor in Mumbai made a net profit of INR 60 lakh this year, with depreciation of INR 20 lakh.
Candidate-ledStarterIndia About 15 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
A breakeven calculation
Fixed costs are USD 60,000 a year. Each unit sells for USD 25 and costs USD 10 in materials. How many units to break even?
Candidate-ledStarter About 15 min Math checkedOperations and cost
Is a cost-saving project worth it?
A logistics firm in Dubai can spend AED 15 million now on new software that saves AED 2 million every year, with no planned end date. The discount rate is 8 percent.
Candidate-ledStarterTechnology, media and telecomMiddle East and GCC About 15 min Math checkedMarket sizing
How many cups of coffee are sold in a city each day
Estimate the number of cups of coffee sold per day in a city of 2 million people.
EstimationStarterFood and agricultureUnited States or Canada About 25 min Math checkedMarket sizing
Yearly revenue of one hair salon in Singapore
Estimate the yearly revenue of a typical neighborhood hair salon in Singapore.
EstimationStarterConsumer and retailSingapore and Southeast Asia About 15 min Math checkedOther and mixed
Home appliances in Saudi Arabia: size and share by segment
The home appliance market in Saudi Arabia has three segments: premium (SAR 400 million, our share 30 percent), mid-range (SAR 800 million, our share 10 percent), and...
Interviewer-ledStarterConsumer and retailMiddle East and GCC About 25 min Exhibit Math checkedOther and mixed
Sales up, share down
A table shows our sales in Europe rising from EUR 100 million to EUR 120 million, while the market grew from EUR 400 million to EUR 600 million.
Candidate-ledStarterEurope About 15 min Math checkedM&A and investment
Which channel really makes the money?
Exhibit 1 shows revenue by channel for a fashion brand in Europe (EUR millions): stores 300, online 150, wholesale 50.
Candidate-ledStarterConsumer and retailEurope About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
A car ownership profit pool
In a fictional country, the car ownership industry has five activities.
Interviewer-ledStretchIndustrials, autos and logistics About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedOperations and cost
1. Per store: a bubble tea shop in Singapore
A fictional bubble tea shop in Singapore sells 9,000 cups a month at SGD 5.50 each. Ingredients, cup and packaging cost SGD 1.60 per cup.
Candidate-ledStandardConsumer and retailSingapore and Southeast Asia About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
2. Per flight: a short-haul flight in Europe
A short-haul flight in Europe has 180 seats and flies 85 percent full. Each passenger pays an average fare of EUR 80 plus EUR 20 for extras such as bags and seat choice.
Candidate-ledStandardTravel and hospitalityEurope About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
3. Per seat and per customer: software sold by subscription
A fictional software company in Bengaluru sells project tools to small firms in the US.
Candidate-ledStandardTechnology, media and telecomIndia About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
4. Per order: an online grocer in Brazil
A fictional online grocer in São Paulo has an average order of BRL 120, with a gross margin of 22 percent on the groceries.
Candidate-ledStandardConsumer and retailLatin America About 25 min Math checkedOperations and cost
5. Per room night: a hotel in Dubai
A fictional 200-room hotel in Dubai sells rooms at an average daily rate (ADR) of AED 600, and on average 75 percent of rooms are occupied.
Candidate-ledStarterTravel and hospitalityMiddle East and GCC About 20 min Math checkedOperations and cost
Total landed cost: Vietnam or Mexico?
A US retailer buys 100,000 garden chairs a year and compares two factories.
Interviewer-ledStandardIndustrials, autos and logisticsSingapore and Southeast Asia About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Is a 3 percent margin good?
Client A is a grocery chain in Poland with revenue of PLN 8,000 million and operating profit of PLN 240 million.
Candidate-ledStandardTechnology, media and telecomEurope About 25 min Math checkedOther and mixed
A marketplace and a freemium app
A fictional travel marketplace in Southeast Asia processes gross booking value (GBV, the total value of trips booked) of USD 2,000 million a year and keeps a take rate...
Candidate-ledStandardTechnology, media and telecomSingapore and Southeast Asia About 25 min Math checkedPricing
A 10-minute scan: cement
Your interview tomorrow is with an office that works on building materials. Run the scan for cement.
Candidate-ledStandardIndustrials, autos and logisticsIndia About 25 min Math checkedOther and mixed
What are the odds for a drug entering trials?
Using the phase success rates in the chart above, what is the chance that a drug entering Phase I is approved, and the chance for a drug entering Phase II?
Candidate-ledStandardHealthcare and pharma About 15 min Exhibit Math checkedMarket entry and growth
Launch economics: a new lung treatment in Germany
A fictional mid-sized pharma company plans to launch a new treatment for a chronic lung disease in Germany.
Candidate-ledStarterHealthcare and pharmaEurope About 20 min Math checkedMarket entry and growth
Keep the drug or license it out?
A fictional biotech in Boston owns a drug about to enter Phase II.
Candidate-ledStarterHealthcare and pharma About 15 min Math checkedMarket sizing
Patient funnel: a diabetes treatment in Saudi Arabia
A fictional company asks how many patients in Saudi Arabia could use its new type 2 diabetes treatment.
EstimationStarterHealthcare and pharmaMiddle East and GCC About 20 min Math checkedOther and mixed
Hospital revenue: a private hospital in Pune
A fictional 300-bed private hospital in Pune has average occupancy of 70 percent.
Candidate-ledStarterHealthcare and pharmaIndia About 20 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Insurer economics: a health insurer in the UAE
A fictional health insurer in the UAE covers 100,000 members with an average premium of AED 4,000 a year.
Candidate-ledStandardHealthcare and pharmaMiddle East and GCC About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
A new hospital in Riyadh: breakeven and payback
A fictional hospital group, Kestrelvale Hospitals, plans a 200-bed hospital in Riyadh. Building and equipping it costs SAR 1,000,000 per bed.
Candidate-ledStandardHealthcare and pharmaMiddle East and GCC About 25 min Math checkedOperations and cost
Two youth jobs programmes: which buys more outcome?
A government has USD 10 million to help young people find jobs.
Candidate-ledStandardPublic sector and education About 25 min Math checkedOperations and cost
Channel shift at a passport office
A passport office in a fictional country handles 1.2 million applications a year: 80 percent in person at a cost of USD 30 each and 20 percent online at USD 6 each.
Candidate-ledStandardPublic sector and education About 25 min Math checkedOperations and cost
A value-for-money test: build it ourselves or use a PPP?
A regional government needs a new road. Option 1: build it itself for USD 100 million now and pay USD 3 million a year to maintain it for 20 years.
Candidate-ledStarterPublic sector and education About 15 min Math checkedM&A and investment
A national fund invests in a battery plant
A fictional national fund invests SAR 2 billion in a local electric vehicle battery plant.
Candidate-ledStarterPublic sector and educationMiddle East and GCC About 20 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Does one supermarket earn its space?
An illustrative supermarket in Spain has 1,500 square metres of selling space and sells EUR 6,000 per square metre per year. Its gross margin is 26 percent.
Candidate-ledStretchConsumer and retailEurope About 35 min Math checkedMarket entry and growth
Total sales up 8 percent, but are the stores healthy?
An illustrative grocery chain had 100 stores and sales of EUR 500 million last year. This year it has 110 stores and sales of EUR 540 million.
Candidate-ledStarterConsumer and retailEurope About 15 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Same GMV, different revenue
Two illustrative online players in Europe each have GMV of EUR 1 billion a year.
Candidate-ledStarterConsumer and retailEurope About 20 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Does a quick commerce order make money, and how busy must a dark store be?
An illustrative quick commerce player in India has an average order value of INR 600.
Candidate-ledStretchConsumer and retailIndia About 30 min Math checkedStudy: Does a quick commerce order make money, and how busy must a dark store be? Partner mode: Does a quick commerce order make money, and how busy must a dark store be? Simulate: Does a quick commerce order make money, and how busy must a dark store be?, typed Out loud: Does a quick commerce order make money, and how busy must a dark store be?, spokenProfitability and P&L
What a higher return rate does to an online fashion retailer
An illustrative online fashion retailer in Germany has an average order value of EUR 80 and a gross margin of 50 percent on items that are kept.
Candidate-ledStandardConsumer and retailEurope About 20 min Math checkedPricing
Gross to net: where the money goes on one case of product
An illustrative snack brand sells a case of product at a list price of USD 100.
Candidate-ledStandardConsumer and retail About 25 min Math checkedPricing
Where the shopper's rupee goes in general trade
An illustrative shampoo pack in India has a maximum retail price (MRP, the legal ceiling printed on the pack, including tax) of INR 100.
Candidate-ledStarterConsumer and retailIndia About 15 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Is wider distribution in Nigeria worth it?
An illustrative biscuit brand in Nigeria is stocked in 40,000 outlets, which each sell 30 packs a week.
Candidate-ledStarterConsumer and retailAfrica About 15 min Math checkedPricing
A 20 percent price promotion in the UK
An illustrative drinks brand in the UK sells 1,000 units a week to a grocer at a net price of GBP 10, with variable cost of GBP 6 per unit.
Candidate-ledStarterConsumer and retailUnited Kingdom About 20 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
The yearly P&L of a casual restaurant in Dubai
An illustrative casual dining restaurant in Dubai has 80 seats. It turns each seat 1.5 times at lunch and 2 times at dinner.
Candidate-ledStandardFood and agricultureMiddle East and GCC About 25 min Math checkedPricing
A delivery order compared with a dine-in order in India
An illustrative burger restaurant in India sells an average order of INR 400. Food costs 30 percent of the menu price.
Candidate-ledStandardFood and agricultureIndia About 15 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
How a franchisor and a franchisee split the money
An illustrative franchised burger restaurant in the US sells USD 3,000 thousand a year.
Candidate-ledStarterFood and agricultureUnited States or Canada About 15 min Math checkedPricing
Should a hotel in Bangkok raise its prices?
An illustrative 300-room hotel in Bangkok runs at 75 percent occupancy with an ADR of THB 4,000.
Candidate-ledStandardTravel and hospitalitySingapore and Southeast Asia About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
How a managed hotel in Riyadh splits its profit
An illustrative managed hotel in Riyadh has total revenue of SAR 100 million a year and a gross operating profit (GOP) of SAR 35 million.
Candidate-ledStarterTravel and hospitalityMiddle East and GCC About 20 min Math checkedOperations and cost
The cost of an OTA booking
An illustrative hotel in Lisbon sells a room night at EUR 200. An OTA booking costs an 18 percent commission.
Candidate-ledStarterTravel and hospitalityEurope About 15 min Math checkedOperations and cost
The economics of one low-cost flight
An illustrative low-cost airline flies an Airbus A320 with 180 seats on a 1,000 km route. On one flight it carries 153 passengers.
Candidate-ledStretchTravel and hospitalityUnited States or Canada About 30 min Math checkedPricing
What a 50 percent fuel hedge does
An illustrative airline in Europe will buy 2 million barrels of jet fuel next year. It hedges half at USD 100 per barrel.
Candidate-ledStarterTravel and hospitalityEurope About 20 min Math checkedOperations and cost
What is one streaming subscriber in India worth?
An illustrative streaming service in India has 10 million subscribers paying an average of INR 150 a month. Monthly churn is 5 percent.
Candidate-ledStarterTechnology, media and telecomIndia About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
A USD 60 million series, in the P&L and in cash
An illustrative streamer pays USD 60 million upfront for a new series. It amortizes the cost 50 percent in year 1, 30 percent in year 2, and 20 percent in year 3.
Candidate-ledStarterTechnology, media and telecom About 20 min Math checkedOther and mixed
Is an ad-supported plan worth as much as an ad-free one?
An illustrative streamer in the US sells an ad-free plan at USD 17.99 a month and a plan with ads at USD 7.99.
Candidate-ledStarterTechnology, media and telecomUnited States or Canada About 15 min Math checkedPricing
One handbag: own store or department store?
An illustrative luxury handbag sells for EUR 2,000 (before sales tax) and costs EUR 500 to make.
Candidate-ledStarterConsumer and retailEurope About 20 min Math checkedPricing
What markdowns do to a fast fashion collection
An illustrative fashion retailer in Europe buys 10,000 jackets at EUR 10 each and prices them at EUR 40.
Candidate-ledStandardConsumer and retailEurope About 15 min Math checkedPublic sector and social impact
The economics of a private school in Dubai
An illustrative private school in Dubai has capacity for 1,500 students and is 80 percent full. The average fee is AED 45,000 a year.
Candidate-ledStretchPublic sector and educationMiddle East and GCC About 30 min Math checkedPricing
Does an online test prep course in India pay back?
An illustrative online test prep company in India sells a one-year course for INR 5,000.
Candidate-ledStarterPublic sector and educationIndia About 20 min Math checkedM&A and investment
Return on equity of a personal loan book in India
A private bank in India plans a new personal loan book of INR 1,000 crore. The loan rate is 14 percent a year and the bank's funding cost is 7 percent.
Candidate-ledStandardFinancial servicesIndia About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Profit of a motor insurer in Saudi Arabia
A motor insurer in Saudi Arabia earns premiums of SAR 1,000 million in a year.
Candidate-ledStretchFinancial servicesMiddle East and GCC About 30 min Math checkedM&A and investment
Who earns what on a USD 100 credit card payment in the US
A shopper in the US pays USD 100 with a rewards credit card. The merchant pays a merchant discount rate of 2.5 percent.
Candidate-ledStarterFinancial servicesUnited States or Canada About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Fee compression at a European asset manager
A European asset manager has EUR 100 billion of AUM: EUR 60 billion in active equity funds at a fee of 0.60 percent a year and EUR 40 billion in passive funds at 0.10...
Candidate-ledStandardFinancial servicesEurope About 25 min Math checkedM&A and investment
A simple leveraged buyout of a European services company
A PE fund buys a business services company in Europe with EBITDA of EUR 100 million, paying 10 times EBITDA.
Candidate-ledStretchFinancial servicesEurope About 30 min Math checkedOperations and cost
ARR bridge and efficiency of a SaaS company in Chennai
A SaaS company based in Chennai, India, sells customer support software to small businesses worldwide and reports in USD. It starts the year with USD 50 million of ARR.
Candidate-ledStarterTechnology, media and telecomIndia About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Contribution per ride for a ride-hailing app in Egypt
A ride-hailing app in Cairo has an average fare of EGP 150 and keeps a take rate of 20 percent.
Candidate-ledStandardTechnology, media and telecomAfrica About 25 min Math checkedM&A and investment
Fiber roll-out in a city in Malaysia
An operator plans to pass 100,000 homes with fiber in a Malaysian city. Passing each home costs MYR 1,500 and connecting each subscriber costs a further MYR 800.
Candidate-ledStandardTechnology, media and telecomSingapore and Southeast Asia About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
How utilization drives a foundry's profit
A foundry in Taiwan has capacity of 1 million wafers a year. Its fixed costs, mostly depreciation of equipment, are USD 3 billion a year.
Candidate-ledStarterTechnology, media and telecomMainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan About 20 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Is a new oil field worth developing?
Dunewell Petroleum (a fictional company) can develop an onshore field with 100 million recoverable barrels. Development capex is USD 1,200 million.
Candidate-ledStandardEnergy and resources About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Refining margin of a coastal refinery in India
A refinery in India (fictional) has capacity of 200,000 barrels per day and runs at 90 percent utilization. Crude costs USD 75 per barrel.
Candidate-ledStarterEnergy and resourcesIndia About 20 min Math checkedOperations and cost
Levelized cost of a solar plant, and why financing matters
Solmira Power (a fictional company) plans a 100 MW solar plant in a sunny region. Capex is USD 60 million. Capacity factor is 25 percent.
Candidate-ledStarterEnergy and resources About 20 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
How a grid battery earns money by shifting energy
A 100 MWh battery in Europe charges when power costs USD 20 per MWh and sells in the evening peak at USD 90 per MWh.
Candidate-ledStarterEnergy and resourcesEurope About 20 min Math checkedPricing
Unit economics of a copper mine
Ridgecrest Copper (a fictional company) runs an open-pit mine in Chile.
Candidate-ledStarterEnergy and resourcesLatin America About 20 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Ethane cracker versus naphtha cracker
Compare two fictional ethylene producers. A Gulf producer uses ethane: 1.3 tonnes of ethane at USD 200 per tonne make 1 tonne of ethylene, plus USD 140 of other cash...
Candidate-ledStarterEnergy and resourcesMiddle East and GCC About 20 min Math checkedOperations and cost
Fixed cost per tonne at different utilization rates
Tessaline Chemicals (a fictional company) runs a polyethylene plant with capacity of 1.5 million tonnes a year and fixed costs of USD 180 million a year.
Candidate-ledStarterEnergy and resources About 15 min Math checkedPricing
From showroom price to carmaker profit in Europe
Kavrin Motors (a fictional carmaker) sells a compact car in Germany for EUR 30,000 including 20 percent VAT. The dealer margin is 8 percent of the price before VAT.
Candidate-ledStandardIndustrials, autos and logisticsEurope About 25 min Math checkedPricing
Is an electric scooter worth it for a delivery rider in India?
A delivery rider in Bengaluru rides 30 km a day, 300 days a year. A petrol scooter does 50 km per litre and petrol costs INR 100 per litre.
Candidate-ledStarterIndustrials, autos and logisticsIndia About 20 min Math checkedStudy: Is an electric scooter worth it for a delivery rider in India? Partner mode: Is an electric scooter worth it for a delivery rider in India? Simulate: Is an electric scooter worth it for a delivery rider in India?, typed Out loud: Is an electric scooter worth it for a delivery rider in India?, spokenProfitability and P&L
How much of the profit comes from the installed base?
Ironfield Machines (a fictional company) sells 1,000 mining trucks a year at USD 250,000 each, with a 10 percent operating margin.
Candidate-ledStandardIndustrials, autos and logistics About 25 min Math checkedOther and mixed
OEE of a machining line in India
A machining line in Pune is planned to run 480 minutes a shift. It stops for 48 minutes of breakdowns and changeovers. The ideal cycle time is 0.8 minutes per part.
Candidate-ledStarterIndustrials, autos and logisticsIndia About 20 min Math checkedOperations and cost
Should we buy a valve body from a supplier?
A pump maker in Germany makes 100,000 valve bodies a year. Its variable cost is EUR 40 per part (materials, direct labor, energy).
Candidate-ledStarterIndustrials, autos and logisticsEurope About 15 min Math checkedOperations and cost
Economics of one container voyage from Asia to Europe
Bluewake Lines (a fictional carrier) sails a 15,000 TEU ship from Asia to Europe, a 35-day leg. The ship is 85 percent full.
Candidate-ledStarterIndustrials, autos and logisticsEurope About 20 min Math checkedOperations and cost
Cost per drop for a courier in Dubai
A courier van in Dubai costs AED 250 a day for the driver, AED 150 for the van lease and insurance, and AED 60 for fuel.
Candidate-ledStarterIndustrials, autos and logisticsMiddle East and GCC About 15 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
A residential project in Dubai: margin and the effect of an overrun
Harbrook Developers (a fictional company) plans 400 apartments in Dubai to sell at an average of AED 1.5 million each.
Candidate-ledStarterIndustrials, autos and logisticsMiddle East and GCC About 20 min Math checkedStudy: A residential project in Dubai: margin and the effect of an overrun Partner mode: A residential project in Dubai: margin and the effect of an overrun Simulate: A residential project in Dubai: margin and the effect of an overrun, typed Out loud: A residential project in Dubai: margin and the effect of an overrun, spokenOther and mixed
Valuing an office building with a cap rate
A REIT in Singapore owns an office building with net operating income (NOI) of SGD 5 million a year. Similar buildings trade at a 7 percent cap rate.
Candidate-ledStarterIndustrials, autos and logisticsSingapore and Southeast Asia About 15 min Math checkedPricing
Income from wheat on a smallholder farm in India
A farmer in Madhya Pradesh grows wheat on 2 hectares. The yield is 3.5 tonnes per hectare and the price received is INR 25,000 per tonne (an illustrative price).
Candidate-ledStarterFood and agricultureIndia About 20 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Does a cold store pay for itself for a tomato cooperative?
A farmer cooperative in Kenya handles 1,000 tonnes of tomatoes a season and sells them at KES 30,000 (Kenyan shillings) per tonne.
Candidate-ledStandardFood and agricultureAfrica About 15 min Math checkedM&A and investment
Return per MW for a colocation campus near Mumbai
A developer plans a 20 MW colocation campus near Mumbai and reports in USD. It costs USD 10 million per MW of IT load to build, excluding the customers' servers.
Candidate-ledStandardFinancial servicesIndia About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Profit per GPU for a GPU cloud in Singapore
A GPU cloud (a neocloud) in Singapore rents out AI GPUs by the hour and reports in USD.
Candidate-ledStandardTechnology, media and telecomSingapore and Southeast Asia About 25 min Math checkedPricing
Fixed price or cost-plus for an armoured vehicle programme in Poland
A European defence company is negotiating a programme to build armoured vehicles for Poland and reports in EUR. It estimates the programme will cost EUR 400 million.
Candidate-ledStandardIndustrials, autos and logisticsEurope About 25 min Math checkedStudy: Fixed price or cost-plus for an armoured vehicle programme in Poland Partner mode: Fixed price or cost-plus for an armoured vehicle programme in Poland Simulate: Fixed price or cost-plus for an armoured vehicle programme in Poland, typed Out loud: Fixed price or cost-plus for an armoured vehicle programme in Poland, spokenOperations and cost
Cost per kilogram: an expendable rocket versus a reusable one
A launch company compares two versions of its rocket and reports in USD.
Candidate-ledStandard About 25 min Math checkedStudy: Cost per kilogram: an expendable rocket versus a reusable one Partner mode: Cost per kilogram: an expendable rocket versus a reusable one Simulate: Cost per kilogram: an expendable rocket versus a reusable one, typed Out loud: Cost per kilogram: an expendable rocket versus a reusable one, spokenOperations and cost
Is a security upgrade worth it for a logistics company in Dubai?
A logistics company in Dubai reports in USD. Its security team estimates an 8 percent chance each year of a major ransomware attack that would stop operations, costing...
Candidate-ledStarterIndustrials, autos and logisticsMiddle East and GCC About 20 min Math checkedStudy: Is a security upgrade worth it for a logistics company in Dubai? Partner mode: Is a security upgrade worth it for a logistics company in Dubai? Simulate: Is a security upgrade worth it for a logistics company in Dubai?, typed Out loud: Is a security upgrade worth it for a logistics company in Dubai?, spokenM&A and investment
ARR bridge of a cloud security vendor in Bengaluru
A cloud security software company in Bengaluru sells worldwide and reports in USD. It starts the year with USD 40 million of ARR (annual recurring revenue).
Candidate-ledStandardTechnology, media and telecomIndia About 25 min Math checkedOperations and cost
What one consultant earns for the firm, and what 10 points of utilization cost
Harbourline Advisory (a fictional firm in Singapore) has a consultant available for 1,800 hours a year, billed at a standard rate of USD 250 an hour.
Candidate-ledStandardSingapore and Southeast Asia About 25 min Math checkedStudy: What one consultant earns for the firm, and what 10 points of utilization cost Partner mode: What one consultant earns for the firm, and what 10 points of utilization cost Simulate: What one consultant earns for the firm, and what 10 points of utilization cost, typed Out loud: What one consultant earns for the firm, and what 10 points of utilization cost, spokenPricing
A fixed fee project that runs over, and how value based pricing compares
Cedarway Consulting (fictional) agreed a fixed fee of USD 600,000 to redesign a Saudi retailer's buying process.
Candidate-ledStandardConsumer and retailMiddle East and GCC About 25 min Math checkedStudy: A fixed fee project that runs over, and how value based pricing compares Partner mode: A fixed fee project that runs over, and how value based pricing compares Simulate: A fixed fee project that runs over, and how value based pricing compares, typed Out loud: A fixed fee project that runs over, and how value based pricing compares, spokenOperations and cost
Building a regulated water bill from its blocks
Riverbend Water (a fictional company in England) has a regulatory capital value of GBP 10 billion.
Candidate-ledStarterUnited Kingdom About 20 min Math checkedPricing
The cost of a cubic metre of desalinated water, and why energy prices matter
A developer is bidding for a 300,000 cubic metre a day reverse osmosis plant on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia.
Candidate-ledStandardEnergy and resourcesMiddle East and GCC About 25 min Math checkedStudy: The cost of a cubic metre of desalinated water, and why energy prices matter Partner mode: The cost of a cubic metre of desalinated water, and why energy prices matter Simulate: The cost of a cubic metre of desalinated water, and why energy prices matter, typed Out loud: The cost of a cubic metre of desalinated water, and why energy prices matter, spokenOperations and cost
Does a club meet the 70 percent squad cost rule, and what would it take?
Northbridge FC (a fictional club in Europe) has revenue of EUR 300 million: EUR 150 million from media rights, EUR 90 million commercial and EUR 60 million matchday.
Candidate-ledStandardTechnology, media and telecomEurope About 25 min Math checkedStudy: Does a club meet the 70 percent squad cost rule, and what would it take? Partner mode: Does a club meet the 70 percent squad cost rule, and what would it take? Simulate: Does a club meet the 70 percent squad cost rule, and what would it take?, typed Out loud: Does a club meet the 70 percent squad cost rule, and what would it take?, spokenProfitability and P&L
Who keeps the money from a stadium concert
A promoter puts on a stadium concert in Mumbai (all figures illustrative, in USD). It sells 50,000 tickets at an average of USD 120.
Candidate-ledStandardFood and agricultureIndia About 25 min Math checkedMarket sizing
How many cars are in a Spanish city (top-down)
Estimate the number of passenger cars registered in a Spanish city of 2,000,000 people.
EstimationStarterIndustrials, autos and logisticsEurope About 20 min Math checkedMarket sizing
A Bengaluru cafe's yearly revenue (bottom-up, with a supply-side check)
Estimate the yearly revenue of a single busy cafe in central Bengaluru.
EstimationStarterFood and agricultureIndia About 20 min Math checkedStudy: A Bengaluru cafe's yearly revenue (bottom-up, with a supply-side check) Partner mode: A Bengaluru cafe's yearly revenue (bottom-up, with a supply-side check) Simulate: A Bengaluru cafe's yearly revenue (bottom-up, with a supply-side check), typed Out loud: A Bengaluru cafe's yearly revenue (bottom-up, with a supply-side check), spokenMarket sizing
Smartphones sold per year in a country (segmented, with replacement and first-time buyers)
Estimate how many new smartphones are sold per year in a middle-income country of 100,000,000 people.
EstimationStandardTechnology, media and telecom About 25 min Math checkedStudy: Smartphones sold per year in a country (segmented, with replacement and first-time buyers) Partner mode: Smartphones sold per year in a country (segmented, with replacement and first-time buyers) Simulate: Smartphones sold per year in a country (segmented, with replacement and first-time buyers), typed Out loud: Smartphones sold per year in a country (segmented, with replacement and first-time buyers), spokenMarket sizing
Home EV chargers sold per year in Australia (interviewer-led, with data)
An Australian maker of home electric-vehicle (EV) chargers asks: in five years, how many home chargers will be sold in Australia each year, and what will that be worth?...
EstimationStretchIndustrials, autos and logisticsAustralia and New Zealand About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedStudy: Home EV chargers sold per year in Australia (interviewer-led, with data) Partner mode: Home EV chargers sold per year in Australia (interviewer-led, with data) Simulate: Home EV chargers sold per year in Australia (interviewer-led, with data), typed Out loud: Home EV chargers sold per year in Australia (interviewer-led, with data), spokenProfitability and P&L
Harqeen Coffee: profit down 20 percent
Harqeen Coffee is a coffee chain with 150 stores in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Last year it made AED 10 million of profit on revenue of AED 100 million.
Interviewer-ledStandardFood and agricultureMiddle East and GCC About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Brenholt: price up, volume down, fixed costs up
Brenholt, a bakery chain in Germany, saw profit fall from EUR 4 million to EUR 2.85 million.
Interviewer-ledStandardFood and agricultureEurope About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Harthmoor: operating profit fell by two thirds
Harthmoor, a UK maker of kitchen appliances, shared its income statement for the last two years in GBP millions (see the table above).
Interviewer-ledStretchFood and agricultureUnited Kingdom About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedProfitability and P&L
A Brazilian pharmacy chain: revenue up, operating profit down
A pharmacy chain in Brazil grew revenue last year, but its operating profit fell by a third. The chief financial officer asks why, and whether it should worry.
Interviewer-ledStandardHealthcare and pharmaLatin America About 30 min Math checkedStudy: A Brazilian pharmacy chain: revenue up, operating profit down Partner mode: A Brazilian pharmacy chain: revenue up, operating profit down Simulate: A Brazilian pharmacy chain: revenue up, operating profit down, typed Out loud: A Brazilian pharmacy chain: revenue up, operating profit down, spokenMarket entry and growth
Suburban stores for a Singapore cafe chain
A cafe chain has 20 stores in central Singapore and is considering 10 stores in suburban housing estates.
Interviewer-ledStretchFood and agricultureSingapore and Southeast Asia About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedMarket entry and growth
Home delivery for a South African grocer
A grocery chain with 120 stores in Gauteng, South Africa, wants to add home delivery in Johannesburg, a new channel for the same customers and products.
Interviewer-ledStretchConsumer and retailAfrica About 30 min Math checkedMarket entry and growth
An Indian snack brand enters Saudi Arabia
An Indian snack brand is considering Saudi Arabia, a market of about 500 million packs a year.
Candidate-ledStretchFood and agricultureIndia About 30 min Math checkedMarket entry and growth
An Australian pet-food maker enters Japan: build, partner, or buy?
An Australian maker of premium dog food wants to enter Japan. The table below shows three ways to enter, with the interviewer's estimates. Which should it choose?
Interviewer-ledStretchFood and agricultureAustralia and New Zealand About 40 min Exhibit Math checkedStudy: An Australian pet-food maker enters Japan: build, partner, or buy? Partner mode: An Australian pet-food maker enters Japan: build, partner, or buy? Simulate: An Australian pet-food maker enters Japan: build, partner, or buy?, typed Out loud: An Australian pet-food maker enters Japan: build, partner, or buy?, spokenMarket entry and growth
Growing a Dubai gym's revenue by 10 percent
A gym in Dubai has 2,000 members paying AED 300 a month. It wants to grow revenue by 10 percent this year.
Interviewer-ledStretchConsumer and retailMiddle East and GCC About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedMarket entry and growth
Doubling an Indian online language school in three years
An online English-language school in India, run from Pune, wants to double its revenue in three years. How should it do it?
Interviewer-ledStretchPublic sector and educationIndia About 30 min Math checkedPricing
Pricing a money-saving industrial part in Germany
A German company has a new part that costs EUR 200 to make (variable cost) and saves the customer EUR 1,000 a year in energy for five years.
Interviewer-ledStretchEnergy and resourcesEurope About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedPricing
Will a 10 percent price rise pay?
A UK coffee-capsule brand sells capsules at GBP 0.40 each, with a variable cost of GBP 0.16. It is considering a 10 percent price rise, to GBP 0.44.
Interviewer-ledStandardFood and agricultureUnited Kingdom About 25 min Math checkedM&A and investment
Buying a regional rival: what is it worth?
A US building-products distributor wants to buy a regional rival. The target earns USD 10 million of EBITDA a year and the seller asks USD 90 million.
Interviewer-ledStretchUnited States or Canada About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedM&A and investment
A private-equity return check
A European private-equity fund can buy a packaging maker for EUR 100 million, which is 10 times its EBITDA of EUR 10 million.
Interviewer-ledStretchFinancial servicesEurope About 30 min Math checkedMarket entry and growth
Break-even on a new flavor, with cannibalization
An Indian snack brand sells about 500 million packs a year across its flavors.
Interviewer-ledStretchFood and agricultureIndia About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedMarket entry and growth
An e-bike subscription in Madrid
A Spanish maker of electric bikes wants to launch a monthly subscription in Madrid: the customer gets a bike, servicing, and insurance for one monthly fee.
Interviewer-ledStretchFinancial servicesEurope About 30 min Math checkedMarket entry and growth
Should we match a price cut?
A rival cut its price by 10 percent. We sell 1,000,000 units a year at USD 20, earning a contribution of USD 5 per unit (a 25 percent margin).
Interviewer-ledStandard About 25 min Exhibit Math checkedMarket entry and growth
A low-cost rival enters an airline's best route
A full-service Australian airline flies about 2,000 passengers a day from Sydney to Melbourne, and about the same number back; the case works on one direction.
Interviewer-ledStandardTravel and hospitalityAustralia and New Zealand About 25 min Math checkedOperations and cost
Lifting a London sandwich line's output
A sandwich kitchen in London has the step capacities in the chart above.
Interviewer-ledStarterFood and agricultureUnited Kingdom About 25 min Exhibit Math checkedOperations and cost
Why a Johannesburg car-service workshop runs out of time
A chain of car-service workshops in Johannesburg is losing customers because cars are not ready on time and the workshops turn bookings away.
Interviewer-ledStretchIndustrials, autos and logistics About 30 min Math checkedOperations and cost
Finding EUR 10 million of savings
A car-parts maker in the Czech Republic has total costs of EUR 100 million a year: materials EUR 60 million, labor EUR 30 million, and overhead EUR 10 million.
Interviewer-ledStandardIndustrials, autos and logisticsEurope About 25 min Exhibit Math checkedOperations and cost
Cutting non-medical cost at an Indian hospital group
A private hospital group with twelve hospitals in India must cut INR 40 crore a year of cost without hurting patient care. Where would you find it?
Interviewer-ledStretchHealthcare and pharmaIndia About 30 min Math checkedOperations and cost
Which link breaks first, and the cheapest fix
A bottled-water company in Indonesia, which reports in US dollars, expects demand of 1,000,000 cases next year.
Interviewer-ledStretchIndustrials, autos and logisticsSingapore and Southeast Asia About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedOperations and cost
Where should a Gulf online retailer put its next warehouse?
A Dubai-based online home-goods retailer serves the UAE and Saudi Arabia from one warehouse in Dubai, which will be full in two years.
Interviewer-ledStretchIndustrials, autos and logisticsMiddle East and GCC About 30 min Math checkedM&A and investment
A sorting machine for a Singapore warehouse
A Singapore logistics company can buy a warehouse sorting machine for SGD 240,000. It would cut costs by SGD 80,000 a year for six years, with no value at the end.
Interviewer-ledStretchIndustrials, autos and logisticsSingapore and Southeast Asia About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedM&A and investment
Electric or diesel vans for a UK parcel company
A UK parcel company must replace 100 delivery vans this year. Should it buy electric vans instead of diesel ones?
Interviewer-ledStandardIndustrials, autos and logisticsUnited Kingdom About 25 min Math checkedMarket entry and growth
India's electric two-wheeler industry, for a battery maker
A European battery maker is thinking of supplying India's electric two-wheeler (scooter and motorbike) industry and asks for your view of it.
Candidate-ledStretchIndustrials, autos and logisticsIndia About 30 min Math checkedMarket entry and growth
Brazil's dog-food market, for a European premium brand
A European premium dog-food maker asks you to describe Brazil's dog-food market and say whether it should enter, and in which part of the market it should compete.
Interviewer-ledStandardFood and agricultureEurope About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Company problem or industry problem?
A German fashion retailer's sales fell 12 percent last year while its industry fell 4 percent.
Interviewer-ledStandardConsumer and retailEurope About 25 min Exhibit Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Managing a declining business for cash
A UK printed-directory business has revenue of GBP 50 million a year, falling about 10 percent a year as the whole industry moves online.
Interviewer-ledStandardUnited Kingdom About 25 min Math checkedPublic sector and social impact
Choosing a tutoring program with a fixed budget
A Gulf ministry of education has AED 10 million to raise math results for grade 8 students.
Interviewer-ledStretchFinancial servicesMiddle East and GCC About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedPublic sector and social impact
More health screenings for older adults in Singapore
A Singapore government agency wants more adults aged 50 to 69 to take a free health screening.
Interviewer-ledStandardHealthcare and pharmaSingapore and Southeast Asia About 25 min Math checkedOther and mixed
Cutting a theme-park queue
A popular ride at a theme park in Abu Dhabi serves 1,200 people an hour, and at peak the queue holds about 2,400 people. The chart below shows the queue through the day.
Interviewer-ledStarterTravel and hospitalityMiddle East and GCC About 25 min Exhibit Math checkedOther and mixed
Crowding on a Tokyo rail platform
A Tokyo rail operator has dangerous crowding on one station platform during the morning peak. How would you think about fixing it?
Interviewer-ledStandardTechnology, media and telecom About 25 min Math checkedOperations and cost
AI in a Singapore bank's contact centre
A Singapore bank has 400 contact-centre agents. Each costs SGD 60,000 a year fully loaded and works about 1,600 productive hours a year.
Interviewer-ledStretchFinancial servicesSingapore and Southeast Asia About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedOperations and cost
An Indian IT services firm: build, buy, or partner?
A large Indian IT services firm wants an AI coding assistant for its developers. Should it build one, buy one, or partner with a technology provider?
Interviewer-ledStandardTechnology, media and telecomIndia About 25 min Math checkedOperations and cost
Cutting emissions 40 percent at a German steel-components maker
A German maker of forged steel components emits 100,000 tonnes of CO2e a year (Scope 1 and 2). It must cut 40 percent by 2030 at the lowest cost.
Interviewer-ledStretchEnergy and resourcesEurope About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedStudy: Cutting emissions 40 percent at a German steel-components maker Partner mode: Cutting emissions 40 percent at a German steel-components maker Simulate: Cutting emissions 40 percent at a German steel-components maker, typed Out loud: Cutting emissions 40 percent at a German steel-components maker, spokenOperations and cost
An Indian steelmaker and the EU carbon border charge
An Indian steelmaker exports to the EU. Its steel carries about 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel.
Interviewer-ledStandardEnergy and resourcesIndia About 25 min Math checkedPublic sector and social impact
How many hotel rooms for a Gulf visitor target?
A Gulf country wants to grow international visitors from 10 million to 25 million a year by 2030.
Interviewer-ledStretchTravel and hospitalityMiddle East and GCC About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedPublic sector and social impact
Raising citizens' share of private-sector retail jobs
A Gulf government wants to raise the share of citizens in private-sector retail jobs from 20 percent to 35 percent within five years.
Interviewer-ledStandardConsumer and retailMiddle East and GCC About 25 min Math checkedMarket entry and growth
Launching a new drug in England
A drug maker plans to launch a new drug in England at GBP 28,000 per course. Trials show it adds 0.5 QALYs per patient compared with the current treatment.
Interviewer-ledStandardHealthcare and pharmaUnited Kingdom About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedOther and mixed
Beds or shorter stays at an Indian private hospital
A private hospital in Bengaluru has 320 beds and its emergency department is often full, with patients waiting for beds. Should it add beds?
Interviewer-ledStandardHealthcare and pharmaIndia About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Quick commerce in India: does an order make money?
A quick-commerce app in India delivers groceries in about 10 minutes from small local warehouses (dark stores). The exhibit shows the economics of an average order.
Interviewer-ledStandardTechnology, media and telecomIndia About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedProfitability and P&L
A European software company: spend more on marketing?
A German software company sells a subscription to small businesses across Europe. The board wants to double marketing spend to grow faster. Should it?
Interviewer-ledStandardTechnology, media and telecomEurope About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Why did a Singapore bank's retail profit fall?
A Singapore bank's retail unit saw profit before tax fall from SGD 190 million to SGD 115 million. The exhibit shows the main lines.
Interviewer-ledStandardFinancial servicesSingapore and Southeast Asia About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedProfitability and P&L
A Gulf motor insurer back to underwriting profit
A motor insurer in the UAE is losing money. How can it return to profit?
Interviewer-ledStandardFinancial servicesMiddle East and GCC About 25 min Math checkedM&A and investment
Spans and layers at a UK retailer's head office
A UK retailer's head office has 1,200 people reporting to 240 managers. The average manager costs GBP 80,000 a year. The exhibit shows spans by function.
Interviewer-ledStandardConsumer and retailUnited Kingdom About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedM&A and investment
Synergies behind plan after a Gulf logistics merger
Two logistics companies in the UAE merged a year ago. The integration office reports that year-one cost synergies are behind plan. What should it do?
Interviewer-ledStretchIndustrials, autos and logisticsMiddle East and GCC About 30 min Math checkedOther and mixed
Partner case: should Hollin & Rye close its 30 weakest cafés?
Hollin & Rye runs 180 bakery cafés across the UK. The CEO is asking whether to close the 30 weakest stores.
Candidate-ledStretchFood and agricultureUnited Kingdom About 25 min Math checkedStudy: Partner case: should Hollin & Rye close its 30 weakest cafés? Partner mode: Partner case: should Hollin & Rye close its 30 weakest cafés? Simulate: Partner case: should Hollin & Rye close its 30 weakest cafés?, typed Out loud: Partner case: should Hollin & Rye close its 30 weakest cafés?, spokenMarket entry and growth
Partner case: should Jabuti Pay launch a credit card?
Jabuti Pay is a Brazilian digital wallet with 12 million monthly active users. The founder wants to launch a credit card to all users next quarter.
Candidate-ledStretchFinancial services About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Partner case: should Minesaka Railway replace its branch line with buses?
Minesaka Railway is a private railway company in Japan. Its main line is profitable, but a 40 km rural branch line loses money every year as the valley's population ages...
Candidate-ledStretchIndustrials, autos and logisticsJapan or South Korea About 25 min Math checkedStudy: Partner case: should Minesaka Railway replace its branch line with buses? Partner mode: Partner case: should Minesaka Railway replace its branch line with buses? Simulate: Partner case: should Minesaka Railway replace its branch line with buses?, typed Out loud: Partner case: should Minesaka Railway replace its branch line with buses?, spokenPricing
an Australian pet-food maker, from margin squeeze to price rise to rollout
Our client, an Australian maker of premium dry dog food, sells through supermarkets and pet specialty stores in every state.
Interviewer-ledStretchFood and agricultureAustralia and New Zealand About 45 min Exhibit Math checkedStudy: an Australian pet-food maker, from margin squeeze to price rise to rollout Partner mode: an Australian pet-food maker, from margin squeeze to price rise to rollout Simulate: an Australian pet-food maker, from margin squeeze to price rise to rollout, typed Out loud: an Australian pet-food maker, from margin squeeze to price rise to rollout, spokenM&A and investment
Tellavo enters Indonesia, from market entry to an acquisition
Tellavo, a Singapore cold-chain logistics company, is considering entering Indonesia.
Interviewer-ledStretchIndustrials, autos and logisticsSingapore and Southeast Asia About 45 min Exhibit Math checkedStudy: Tellavo enters Indonesia, from market entry to an acquisition Partner mode: Tellavo enters Indonesia, from market entry to an acquisition Simulate: Tellavo enters Indonesia, from market entry to an acquisition, typed Out loud: Tellavo enters Indonesia, from market entry to an acquisition, spokenOperations and cost
Kwelani Insurance, from a claims backlog to cost to organization
Kwelani Insurance, a South African car and home insurer, has a claims backlog.
Interviewer-ledStretchFinancial servicesAfrica About 45 min Exhibit Math checkedStudy: Kwelani Insurance, from a claims backlog to cost to organization Partner mode: Kwelani Insurance, from a claims backlog to cost to organization Simulate: Kwelani Insurance, from a claims backlog to cost to organization, typed Out loud: Kwelani Insurance, from a claims backlog to cost to organization, spokenProfitability and P&L
Rimal Air: profit on the Dubai to London route has almost gone
Rimal Air, a Gulf airline, made AED 80 million of profit on its Dubai to London route last year. This year the route made almost nothing.
Interviewer-ledStarterTravel and hospitalityMiddle East and GCC About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedStudy: Rimal Air: profit on the Dubai to London route has almost gone Partner mode: Rimal Air: profit on the Dubai to London route has almost gone Simulate: Rimal Air: profit on the Dubai to London route has almost gone, typed Out loud: Rimal Air: profit on the Dubai to London route has almost gone, spokenPublic sector and social impact
Cutting waiting times at a government service center
A Saudi government agency wants to cut the average wait at its main service center from about 90 minutes to under 30 minutes, without a big rise in running costs.
Interviewer-ledStandardPublic sector and educationMiddle East and GCC About 30 min Math checkedM&A and investment
Should a fund buy Qasr Clinics?
Written case: a Gulf private-equity fund is considering buying Qasr Clinics, a chain of 20 outpatient clinics in the UAE.
Written caseStretchHealthcare and pharmaMiddle East and GCC About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedMarket sizing
Wadi Telecom: size the home fiber market, then build or rent?
First, estimate how many homes in Oman have fiber broadband. Then: Wadi Telecom, an Omani operator, can extend fiber to 100,000 more homes at OMR 300 per home passed.
EstimationStandardTechnology, media and telecomMiddle East and GCC About 30 min Math checkedStudy: Wadi Telecom: size the home fiber market, then build or rent? Partner mode: Wadi Telecom: size the home fiber market, then build or rent? Simulate: Wadi Telecom: size the home fiber market, then build or rent?, typed Out loud: Wadi Telecom: size the home fiber market, then build or rent?, spokenMarket sizing
Sahra Heritage: how many hotel rooms for a new destination?
Sahra Heritage, a government-backed developer in Saudi Arabia, is opening a desert heritage site to visitors.
EstimationStandardTravel and hospitalityMiddle East and GCC About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedOperations and cost
Should a health department run a diabetes screening programme?
The health department of an emirate in the UAE is considering a free screening programme for undiagnosed diabetes in adults.
Interviewer-ledStandardHealthcare and pharmaMiddle East and GCC About 35 min Math checkedStudy: Should a health department run a diabetes screening programme? Partner mode: Should a health department run a diabetes screening programme? Simulate: Should a health department run a diabetes screening programme?, typed Out loud: Should a health department run a diabetes screening programme?, spokenProfitability and P&L
Desi Crunch: profit on INR 10 biscuit packs has collapsed
Desi Crunch, an Indian biscuit maker, sells most of its volume in INR 10 packs. Profit fell from about INR 100 crore to about INR 20 crore in a year.
Interviewer-ledStarterConsumer and retailIndia About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedMarket entry and growth
Nilgiri Credit: loans to small shops using digital payment data
Nilgiri Credit, a mid-sized Indian non-bank lender (NBFC), wants to lend to small shops, judging their creditworthiness from their digital payment history.
Interviewer-ledStandardFinancial servicesIndia About 30 min Math checkedStudy: Nilgiri Credit: loans to small shops using digital payment data Partner mode: Nilgiri Credit: loans to small shops using digital payment data Simulate: Nilgiri Credit: loans to small shops using digital payment data, typed Out loud: Nilgiri Credit: loans to small shops using digital payment data, spokenM&A and investment
A 150-bed hospital in a smaller Indian city
A private hospital group plans a 150-bed hospital in a fast-growing smaller city in central India. The exhibit shows the expected ramp-up.
Interviewer-ledStretchHealthcare and pharmaIndia About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedOperations and cost
SunRoof Homes: rooftop solar in a western Indian state
First, estimate how much rooftop solar capacity homes in a large western Indian state could install.
Interviewer-ledStandardEnergy and resourcesIndia About 30 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Corner & Co: store profit halved while sales grew
Corner & Co runs 300 convenience stores in the UK. Sales per store grew, but profit per store halved. The exhibit shows the average store. Why, and what should it do?
Interviewer-ledStarterConsumer and retailUnited Kingdom About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedM&A and investment
Rijnstroom Energie: should it build a grid battery?
Rijnstroom Energie, a Dutch utility, is considering a 100 MWh grid battery. Should it invest?
Interviewer-ledStandardIndustrials, autos and logisticsEurope About 25 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Nordmark Pumps: 20 percent more profit from service
Nordmark Pumps, a Swedish maker of industrial pumps, wants 20 percent more profit in three years.
Interviewer-ledStretchIndustrials, autos and logisticsEurope About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Wrenfield Home Insurance: which channel loses money?
Written case: Wrenfield Home Insurance is a UK insurer whose home-insurance profit has shrunk, and management suspects one sales channel loses money.
Written caseStandardFinancial servicesUnited Kingdom About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Kallang Private Bank: wealth revenue fell while assets grew
Kallang Private Bank's wealth-management unit in Singapore saw profit fall from SGD 160 million to SGD 110 million even though client assets grew.
Interviewer-ledStandardFinancial servicesSingapore and Southeast Asia About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedMarket sizing
Straits Wings: Singapore to Bangkok
First, estimate how many passengers fly between Singapore and Bangkok each year.
EstimationStarterTravel and hospitalitySingapore and Southeast Asia About 30 min Math checkedMarket entry and growth
Nusa super-app: should it launch buy-now-pay-later?
Nusa, a ride-hailing and payments app in Indonesia that reports in US dollars, is considering "buy now, pay later": shoppers pay in four monthly parts with no interest,...
Interviewer-ledStandardTechnology, media and telecomSingapore and Southeast Asia About 30 min Math checkedOperations and cost
Move production from Malaysia to Vietnam?
A Malaysian electronics contract manufacturer is considering moving production to Vietnam. The exhibit compares cost per unit. Should it move, and how much?
Interviewer-ledStandardIndustrials, autos and logisticsSingapore and Southeast Asia About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedOther and mixed
Kinabatu Mill: should it pay to certify its smallholders?
Kinabatu, a palm oil mill in Malaysia, buys fruit from its own estates and from independent smallholders.
Interviewer-ledStandardEnergy and resourcesSingapore and Southeast Asia About 30 min Math checkedMarket entry and growth
Isla Mobile: should it launch a weekly data pass?
Isla Mobile, a mobile operator in the Philippines, sells prepaid data mostly as daily passes. It is considering a weekly pass at PHP 99.
Interviewer-ledStretchTechnology, media and telecomSingapore and Southeast Asia About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedPricing
Prairie Pet Foods: should it raise prices 10 percent?
Prairie Pet Foods sells premium dog food in Canada. It is considering a 10 percent price rise. The exhibit shows results from test markets. Should it go ahead?
Interviewer-ledStarterFood and agricultureUnited States or Canada About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedMarket entry and growth
Bluegrass HR: how safe is its growth?
Bluegrass HR sells payroll and HR software to mid-sized US companies, priced per employee (per seat). Its board asks how healthy its growth is. What would you tell them?
Interviewer-ledStandardHealthcare and pharmaUnited States or Canada About 30 min Math checkedM&A and investment
Corvane Home Comfort: a buy-and-build in home services
A US private-equity fund plans to build Corvane Home Comfort, a heating and air-conditioning services group in the Midwest, by buying a platform company and five...
Interviewer-ledStretchFinancial servicesUnited States or Canada About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedMarket sizing
A health system considers urgent-care clinics
First, estimate how many urgent-care visits a year happen in a US metro area of 3 million people. Then: a local health system wants to open urgent-care clinics.
EstimationStandardHealthcare and pharmaUnited States or Canada About 30 min Math checkedOperations and cost
Should a city switch to electric buses?
A large city plans to replace 1,000 diesel buses. An international development bank asks whether electric buses make financial sense. The exhibit compares costs per bus.
Interviewer-ledStandardPublic sector and education About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedOther and mixed
Electrifying a mine's haul trucks
A global mining company is considering replacing its 50 diesel haul trucks at one mine with battery-electric trucks. Should it?
Interviewer-ledStretchIndustrials, autos and logistics About 25 min Math checkedPricing
A hotel group's Southern Europe revenue fell
A global hotel group, which reports in US dollars, saw room revenue fall in its Southern Europe hotels after raising prices. The exhibit shows the figures.
Interviewer-ledStarterTravel and hospitality About 30 min Exhibit Math checkedOther and mixed
Tallyfern: which international market first?
Written case: Tallyfern, a software company selling accounting subscriptions to small businesses, must choose its first international market among Germany, the UAE, and...
Written caseStretchTechnology, media and telecom About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Pellowby Grocers: online orders doubled but profit fell
Pellowby Grocers, an Australian supermarket chain, doubled its online orders this year, but its online business made less money than last year.
Interviewer-ledStarterConsumer and retailAustralia and New Zealand About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedPricing
Mirrabeena Iron: keep a small iron ore mine running?
Mirrabeena Iron runs a small iron ore mine in Western Australia.
Interviewer-ledStandardEnergy and resourcesAustralia and New Zealand About 30 min Math checkedMarket sizing
Southlight Charging: fast chargers on a New Zealand highway
First, estimate how many public fast chargers New Zealand needs when 10 percent of its cars and vans are electric.
EstimationStretchEnergy and resourcesAustralia and New Zealand About 30 min Math checkedProfitability and P&L
Kowloon Lantern Teahouse: full at lunch, but profit fell
Kowloon Lantern Teahouse runs a popular dim sum restaurant in Hong Kong. Its monthly profit has fallen by about 40 percent, even though it is still full at lunch.
Interviewer-ledStarterFood and agricultureMainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedMarket sizing
Wenlan Charge: home chargers in a large Chinese city
First, estimate how many home chargers for electric cars are installed each year in one large Chinese city.
EstimationStandardPublic sector and educationMainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan About 30 min Math checkedOther and mixed
Chiaolin Cycles: should it build an e-bike line?
Written case: Chiaolin Cycles, a Taiwanese bicycle maker, is deciding whether to build a new e-bike assembly line.
Written caseStretchIndustrials, autos and logisticsMainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedOther and mixed
Kitase Line Railway: a rural line's loss nearly doubled
The Kitase Line is a 40-kilometer rural railway in Japan. Its yearly loss has nearly doubled in five years, and the prefecture that covers the loss asks what it should...
Interviewer-ledStarterIndustrials, autos and logisticsJapan or South Korea About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedMarket entry and growth
Gyeolhwa Skin Lab: online or a big retailer in the US?
Gyeolhwa Skin Lab, a South Korean skincare brand, wants to grow in the United States. It can focus on online marketplaces or sign with a large US beauty retailer.
Interviewer-ledStandardConsumer and retailJapan or South Korea About 30 min Math checkedM&A and investment
Should a fund buy Tsukimine Precision, a parts maker with no successor?
Written case: a private-equity fund is considering buying Tsukimine Precision, a family-owned maker of precision metal parts in central Japan.
Written caseStretchFinancial servicesJapan or South Korea About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedStudy: Should a fund buy Tsukimine Precision, a parts maker with no successor? Partner mode: Should a fund buy Tsukimine Precision, a parts maker with no successor? Simulate: Should a fund buy Tsukimine Precision, a parts maker with no successor?, typed Out loud: Should a fund buy Tsukimine Precision, a parts maker with no successor?, spokenProfitability and P&L
Jikaro Solar: more systems sold, less margin
Jikaro Solar sells solar home systems in Kenya on a pay-as-you-go basis. It sold 50 percent more systems this year, but its total margin fell.
Interviewer-ledStarterEnergy and resourcesAfrica About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedOther and mixed
Tlhakodi Chrome: should a mine build its own solar plant?
Tlhakodi Chrome runs a chrome mine in South Africa. It is considering building its own solar plant with batteries. Should it?
Interviewer-ledStandardEnergy and resourcesAfrica About 30 min Math checkedMarket sizing
Bringing 10 million more adults in Nigeria into financial services
First, estimate how many adults in Nigeria use no formal financial service.
EstimationStretchPublic sector and educationAfrica About 30 min Math checkedStudy: Bringing 10 million more adults in Nigeria into financial services Partner mode: Bringing 10 million more adults in Nigeria into financial services Simulate: Bringing 10 million more adults in Nigeria into financial services, typed Out loud: Bringing 10 million more adults in Nigeria into financial services, spokenProfitability and P&L
Farmacias Xelumi: do the doctor's offices pay?
Farmacias Xelumi, a Mexican pharmacy chain, added a doctor's office next to 300 of its stores a year ago. Profit per store has not improved.
Interviewer-ledStarterFood and agricultureLatin America About 35 min Exhibit Math checkedOther and mixed
Cooperativa Solvereda: size the storage gap, then build a silo?
First, estimate how much grain storage is missing in the area around Cooperativa Solvereda, a farmers' cooperative in Brazil.
Interviewer-ledStandardFood and agricultureLatin America About 30 min Math checkedStudy: Cooperativa Solvereda: size the storage gap, then build a silo? Partner mode: Cooperativa Solvereda: size the storage gap, then build a silo? Simulate: Cooperativa Solvereda: size the storage gap, then build a silo?, typed Out loud: Cooperativa Solvereda: size the storage gap, then build a silo?, spokenOther and mixed
Minera Pircahue: where should a copper mine get its water?
Minera Pircahue runs a copper mine in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. It must cut its use of local groundwater by half within three years.
Interviewer-ledStretchEnergy and resourcesLatin America About 30 min Math checkedOther and mixed
Rewriting one long answer into clear speech
Long version: "So I think that basically the reason why the profits are going down could be something to do with the costs maybe, because I saw that the costs,...
Candidate-ledStarter About 10 minStudy: Rewriting one long answer into clear speech Partner mode: Rewriting one long answer into clear speechThis case teaches one skill, so it is for study and Partner mode only.
Market entry and growth
A quick percentage-change calculation
Revenue rose from EUR 800,000 to EUR 920,000 over a year. What is the growth rate?
Candidate-ledStarterEurope About 15 min Math checkedStudy: A quick percentage-change calculation Partner mode: A quick percentage-change calculationThis case teaches one skill, so it is for study and Partner mode only.
Other and mixed
A Singapore bank wants more young customers to use its credit card
What could the bank do to get more customers aged 20 to 30 to use its credit card?
Candidate-ledStarterFinancial servicesSingapore and Southeast Asia About 10 minStudy: A Singapore bank wants more young customers to use its credit card Partner mode: A Singapore bank wants more young customers to use its credit cardThis case teaches one skill, so it is for study and Partner mode only.
Other and mixed
Rewriting one bullet, step by step
Starting line: "Part of a team that worked on reducing costs at a manufacturing plant."
Candidate-ledStarterIndustrials, autos and logistics About 10 minStudy: Rewriting one bullet, step by step Partner mode: Rewriting one bullet, step by stepThis case teaches one skill, so it is for study and Partner mode only.
Other and mixed
Framing an engineer's project for a consulting interview
Starting description: "I was a process engineer at a refinery and worked on the hydrotreater unit optimization, including catalyst regeneration scheduling."
Candidate-ledStarterEnergy and resources About 10 minStudy: Framing an engineer's project for a consulting interview Partner mode: Framing an engineer's project for a consulting interviewThis case teaches one skill, so it is for study and Partner mode only.
Other and mixed
Choosing between two offers with a weighted score
You have two offers. Your criteria and weights: people and culture 30 percent, learning 25 percent, office location 20 percent, pay 15 percent, future options 10...
Candidate-ledStarter About 15 min Math checkedStudy: Choosing between two offers with a weighted score Partner mode: Choosing between two offers with a weighted scoreThis case teaches one skill, so it is for study and Partner mode only.
Partner mode: speak a case to a person
Every case has an interviewer view and a candidate view. Your partner reads the prompt, holds the data and the answers, and scores you with a five-part rubric while you speak the case out loud. No one to practice with yet? Use Simulate or Out loud on any case.